Redevelopment Commission Approves State Street Corridor Study

The Columbus Redevelopment Commission agreed to hire a consulting firm for the first phase of the multi-use people trail and sidewalk replacement portion of the State Street Revitalization Project. The commission voted to pay $70,200 to United Consulting, along with the approval to spend an additional $418,300 in TIF dollars for pavers, if approved by the Columbus City Council.

Members of the Redevelopment Commission say that residents and business owners in that portion of the city welcome any and all improvements. However, community members stressed the need for repairs to existing sidewalks, as well as the installation of new sidewalks before anything else.

As part of the plan being comprised by United, the south side of State Street would see the installation of new sidewalks. The north side of State Street would see the installation of multi-use people trails from Indiana Avenue, crossing Hawcreek and entering downtown, said City Engineer Beth Fizel. Planning Director Jeff Bergman added that the plan also calls for improvements to crosswalks, particularly at State and Mapleton.

Columbus Mayor Kristen Brown expressed hope that the city would get the most bang for its buck by timing the work with on overlay project for that area that will be undertaken by the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT). She says that INDOT has already agreed to delay the overlay project to help accommodate the city's efforts.

There still appears to be an issue as to the specifics of trail widths, how far away from the road that sidewalks must be and other factors. Those issues are expected to be answered, for the most part, when United Consulting completes their work in four weeks.

This issue will be discussed further during Tuesday night's meeting of the Columbus City Council.